Alumni Spotlight

Read below about Alex’s Summer 2023 journey as an international Machine Learning intern at a battery startup in Sweden!

Alex in the lab

Alex’s Travel Diary:
In the Spring of 2023, I found out through a colleague of mine that a small team starting at a battery startup in Sweden is focusing on applying machine intelligence and other computational methods to battery R&D. With that being my niche research interest, it seemed too good of an opportunity to pass up, so I reached out to a mutual connection and found out that the manager of that team was going on a business trip to the Bay Area. I took a long shot and asked him out for lunch. That’s how I landed the internship offer that brought me to Stockholm for the summer and had one of the best summers that I could recall, with partial financial help from GLOBE.

The effort to get proper paperwork (visas, work permits, etc.) in order to get to Sweden was quite tedious, since I was on my own, being the company’s first international intern from the US and not going through any internship programs on campus, but the struggle was entirely worth it once I landed in Stockholm. I found a charming room for rent in a brick-building apartment in an old music school turned artist commune, living with a visual artist/photographer in her 30s and her teenage son. That apartment, found haphazardly on a rental website and confirmed verbally over zoom, in all of its European quirks, turned out to be one of my favorite things about the experience. Coming home from my day at the lab to the quiet artist seclusion, with a charming garden more often that not filled with writers and photographers smoking and drinking to faint music playing out of their windows, was the perfect European summer movie-esque fantasy. And the monetary help from GLOBE greatly helped with making it a reality, as the fund was entirely put toward my 3 months of rent while there.

And there was the reason why I was there, my work at Northvolt AB. I was a Machine Learning Intern in their relatively new Machine Intelligence and Software Team, an exploratory effort to incorporate modern AI techniques to materials research, product development, and manufacturing to holistically optimize the company’s production processes. I had the opportunity to apply both my computational research experience in a faster-pace industry setting and also my background in Material Science as I was assigned a project in partnership with the Advanced Materials Team. In the 10-weeks that I was at the company, I was able to carry out independent literature review, data mining, model development and training to deliver a working materials property predictor. It was quite intense work, but I had an amazing team and mentors that made the experience very enjoyable. At the end, I was able to deliver a model that exceeded the benchmark accuracy we were aiming for, which will then go on to be used by engineers on the materials team in future product R&D. Besides my own project, I was also able to sit in on the plethora of projects on the team and learn from the machine learning scientists there. 

One thing I particularly enjoyed was the company’s work culture, a mix between the high-pressure, productivity-first American mindset and the balanced, wellness-centered Nordic work model. Besides team coffee chats at lunch, every afternoon around 3-4pm, everyone would gather again for Fika, the Swedish tradition of afternoon coffee before the end of the work day to debrief and decompress. There were also plenty of social events where I got to network with people from all over the lab and learn about the variety and scale of operations needed in battery production. And then there was the summer break. Swedish people are quite big on the summer vacation. Besides the big national Midsommar celebration in July, most working adult would take 2-3 weeks off every summer to enjoy the precious Nordic sunlight. Because of my time constraint, I did not partake in that tradition, but I loved the relaxed atmosphere it created around the office.

Alex and his friends at Soho House Stockholm

The thing that truly highlighted this summer for me, besides the professional opportunity, was the friends and community that I found there. When I decided to pursue this internship, I had half expected it to be purely a work experience, as I knew next to nothing about Swedish culture/people/etc. What I didn’t expect was that I would meet some of the most incredible people and make some amazing friends in the Stockholm scene. From stumbling into a queer party on my first night in the city to finding community in the Swedish ballroom scene, by the end of my trip I was genuinely sad and nostalgic about leaving, as I had truly felt a part of the scene after the short 3 months. 

All in all, it was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I left with a more crystalized idea of my career interests and research directions, precious memories of a romanticized summer, and life-long connections. If ever faced with the opportunity for an internship abroad, I would recommend everyone to take it, as only by putting oneself out of one’s comfort zone will truly magical experiences like this come about. 

Team photo after final presentation

Read below about Sarah’s Summer 2023 GLOBE journey in Singapore!

Sarah spent her summer after her junior year conducting research at the National University of Singapore.

Sarah’s Travel Diary:
This past summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the SERIUS research engineering program at the esteemed National University of Singapore. This was a life-changing opportunity for me to conduct research at one of the world’s top research universities and experience the breathtaking city of Singapore. I had the chance to research how cryogenic treatment can improve material properties in magnesium alloys (Mg2SiO2), such as corrosion properties and compressive residual stress, under the expert guidance of Professor Manoj Gupta and my mentor Michael Johanes.

As someone who aspires to one-day help engineer medical devices and implants, I wonder about the materials that are used to develop these devices, such as implants that last decades inside the human body, leading to the need for understanding properties and how these materials withstand specific physiological conditions and the wear and tear that occurs over time. The program gave me valuable engineering and research experience due to its hands-on nature and potential biomedical application. Being able to have that hands-on experience for myself made me feel like I was taking one step closer to making real-world differences and insights in mechanical engineering and materials science for such possible applications, including hands-on experience using advanced tools such as optical and scanning electron microscopes, loading tests, and damping tests.

Beyond academic and professional growth, my time in Singapore was a life-changing adventure. Being able to experience the ethereal and innovative garden cities, modern skylines, and diverse and delicious foods of Singapore was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For starters, the second I stepped off the plane, I was greeted with a 40-meter indoor waterfall inside the airport, which really set the tone for what was to come. In Singapore, I was able to marvel at the “Supertrees” at Gardens by the Bay, wander through the unique orchids of Singapore’s Botanical Garden, savor vibrant food festivals with varieties of halal options, and travel from one end of Singapore to another on the MRT train in just one day. Every day I’d wake up with either a sunny, picturesque sky or raging thunderstorms. While the whimsical weather was always dramatically alternating from hot, scorching sun to heavy, torturous rain and was constantly leaving me frantically reaching for either an umbrella or a sunhat, it was a piece of Singapore I found myself surprisingly missing! 

My favorite part of my routine was waking up every morning at NUS before heading to the lab and enjoying a traditional Singaporean breakfast. For just a few bucks I’d enjoy a Kaya (coconut jam) toast served alongside soft-cooked eggs and Teh-C, tea with evaporated milk. Afterwards, my walk to the lab would always filled with chickens clucking, cicadas buzzing, and snails magically appearing from last night’s rain. And then, right as the lab day concluded, I’d embark on a new corner of Singapore. Some days it was late-night Hawker Centers, while others were watching the mesmerizing sunsets at Sentosa Beach. But no matter where I went, I was always met with a beautiful landscape, with tall buildings and roads integrated and clothed with gardens of nature.

One of my fondest memories was hopping on a 9-hour bus ride to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a few days and celebrating Eid-Al Adha for the first time away from home. On Eid day, I was able to witness a vibrant and culturally diverse Muslim community and marvel at the breathtaking National Mosque of Malaysia adorned with intricate architecture, 13 acres of lush garden, and balconies showcasing Kaula Lumpur’s skyline. As a Muslim, I have never encountered a mosque so grand. During this time, I was able to meet with a fellow Cal student from Malaysia where we ate the iconic Malaysian dish laksa, the spicy and delicious coconut noodle soup, saw the Royal Palace, and strolled through local flea markets. This experience made this trip more meaningful and I am grateful I was able to make the most out of spending a holiday away from home by being able to explore the beauty and vibrancy of Malaysia.

This research program supported by the GLOBE Scholarship Fund has left me wanting to travel more to explore engineering in different cultures and environments, and I especially hope to see how engineering and innovation vary across countries and on a global scale. This scholarship provided me with the means to travel to a country I have long dreamed of visiting, Singapore, and is an experience I will never forget.

A view of Singapore with friends and fellow engineers!

Read below about Eric’s GLOBE journey in Japan!

Japan’s Mountainous Lands from on top of Mount Fuji – the tallest peak in Japan

About Me:
My name is Eric He and I am from Toronto, Canada. I am a Junior studying Nuclear Engineering in the College of Engineering. My club involvement includes American Nuclear Society, Tau Beta Pi Honor Society, Engineering Student Council, Berkeley Mentorship Cohort, Campus Ambassadors, Cal Triathlon, and the E98 Decal teaching team. In my free time, I enjoy running and cycling. In Winter 2023, I was a GLOBE Ambassador in Saudi Arabia. This summer, I received the GLOBE Discovery Scholarship during my research internship in Japan at the University of Tokyo.

Introduction – Navigating Japan’s Energy Landscape

Japan is a country where century-old traditions harmonize with the forefront of modern technology. However, due to the lush mountainous landscapes, Japan finds itself in a unique situation where it has a scarcity of natural resources, such as natural gas and oil. In order to limit its dependence on importing energy, Japan has been working to research and develop energy alternatives. One of these heavily invested options is nuclear power. “Up until 2011, Japan was generating some 30% of electricity from its reactors and this was expected to increase to at least 40% by 2017” (World Nuclear Association, 2023). However currently, nuclear energy only accounts for less than 7% of Japan’s energy supply, due to a recent anti-nuclear sentiment from Japanese citizens. 

This summer, during my internship at the University of Tokyo, I sought to better understand the potential of nuclear fusion for a sustainable energy future and to delve into the nuanced perspectives of the Japanese people on this powerful yet controversial source of power. To capture a sense of the opinions of nuclear power from the Japanese public and experts in the field, I gathered first hand data at many professional institutions. This included visiting the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, conducting interviews while working on the TS-6 Fusion Reactor, and culminating with a tour of the JT-60SA Fusion Experiment.

Fukushima Daiichi – A Glimpse in the Past
Fukushima is a city where time seems to stand still, among the remnants of what was once a bustling community at the forefront of nuclear technology. On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.1 earthquake created a tsunami that caused a severe nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. To this date, it is still only one of two accidents that is classified as a rank seven on the International Nuclear Event Scale.

Our group from the University of Tokyo was exceptionally fortunate to be able to tour the power plant, as the Fukushima Prefectural Government had only recently deemed it to be safe for members of the public to visit the area. On the morning of June 28 as we arrived at the power plant, we felt the weight of its history fall on us, as a reminder of the events that had forever altered the course of this once-thriving community. We were guided to a viewing platform that faced the three reactor units that were damaged from the explosions. The sheer scale of damage was staggering, which was a testament to the potential power of nuclear technology. Yet, the true magnitude of the challenge ahead became even more apparent as our guide shared insights into the decommissioning effort. According to our guide, decommissioning the power plant is likely to take 30-40 years to complete, with a total cost of approximately 21.5 trillion yen. During the session, I asked an employee about how Fukushima has affected the public perception of nuclear power. The response I received was expected, but regrettable, “It’s safe to say that a significant portion of Japan’s population remains skeptical about nuclear power, due to the lasting impression of Fukushima”. However, amidst the complexities and challenges, substantial investments have been directed towards fortifying the safety of nuclear power plants. Moreover, the nation has been steadily revitalizing its nuclear industry to regain trust among its citizens. As I reflect on my experiences, this trip was incredibly valuable to witness firsthand the concerted efforts being undertaken to ensure a safer, more sustainable future.

JT-60SA Project Tour – Bridging the Future

On July 12, I visited JT-60SA which is the largest fusion experiment in the country and an international collaboration between Japan and the European Union. Nuclear fusion is different from the energy produced by traditional reactors, as it involves merging light atomic nuclei to release energy, replicating the same process that powers the sun. It is important to note that fusion doesn’t produce the long-lived radioactive waste associated with fission, making it inherently less dangerous. The significant challenge with fusion development lies in overcoming the force that exists between fusing two positively charged atomic nuclei. JT-60SA is the heart of fusion innovation, and is one of the most promising projects to achieve a working reactor. Their goal to achieve this milestone by 2050 far exceeded my expectations, and served as a reminder of the pressing urgency behind this ambitious endeavor. Fusion is the most promising candidate for future energy sources because the fuel is abundant, it is safe, and does not emit greenhouse gasses. Out of the options that Japan has abundantly available, the development of nuclear fusion comes out as the best candidate for decarbonization. 

Touring the facility and witnessing the intricacy of cutting-edge technology becoming a reality was fascinating. Seeing the convergence of so many brilliant minds working on this project gives me hope that this technology can become mainstream within my lifetime. This experience stood as a parallel to my summer work at the University of Tokyo, offering me a clearer understanding of the collaborative endeavors required to actualize the fusion dream. Most importantly, it showed that a future of greener, more sustainable energy is just around the corner.

Conclusion – The Evolving Japanese Perspectives on Nuclear Energy

Reflecting on my journey through Japanese nuclear technology reveals a multifaceted relationship between a nation, its people, and energy. Despite many recent advancements in the field, an apprehension still lingers among the Japanese people when it comes to nuclear technology. The memories of the Fukushima 2011 tragedy continue to cast a somber shadow, reminding us that rebuilding trust takes time and the persistent dedication to transparent communication and uncompromising safety standards is crucial. However, more importantly than ever, there is a growing support for nuclear technology, influenced by concerns for climate change and energy security. Considering that many members of the public tried to lobby to phase out nuclear technology after 2011, nuclear energy in Japan is on the surge. The government is recommitting to the technology, by setting a goal for nuclear power to make up 22% of the country’s energy by 2030. Equally as importantly, Japan is also one of the leaders in introducing minorities into STEM. They are adamantly working to “resolve issues related to gender imbalance in STEM careers to try and improve the participation of women in the nuclear sector” (Nuclear Energy Agency, 2023). 

Another example of the bright prospects of energy in Japan is nuclear fusion. Projects such as JT-60SA signifies a nation’s unwavering commitment to make incredible advancements to nuclear technology, while still having a large consideration for safety. With each experimental reactor, each collaborative effort, each dollar of investment in this field, the vision of a future with clean energy becomes more apparent. I believe that we are at a crossroads in history where nuclear technology is becoming more widely accepted by the public. Japan is crucial to lead the charge towards a global future energized by sustainable energy sources.